Employing the Highly Educated NEET Youth in South Korea

HDRI is proud to announce the release of our latest research paper, about the overqualified NEET youth in South Korea. Authored by Dahui Kim and supervised by Siya Goyal, this comprehensive publication explores the complex structural and cultural barriers that prevent highly skilled young individuals from thriving in the modern workforce.

Key Insights from the Research:

• 📊 A Unique Demographic Challenge: In South Korea, NEET (not in education, employment, or training) youth represent 18.3% of young people aged 15 to 29 years old. Distinct from global trends, this demographic is highly educated, with over half possessing an associate degree or higher.

• 📉 Economic Repercussions: The unemployment of these young adults leads to an estimated economic impact of 61.7 trillion won, resulting in a 3.2% loss in GDP.

• 🧠 Social and Psychological Toll: Prolonged unemployment drives severe psychological issues, including isolation, lethargy, and depression, ultimately disrupting social vitality and cohesion.

• 🏢 Root Causes: The rise in NEET youth is heavily influenced by cultural factors that pressure individuals to exclusively seek employment at large conglomerates, alongside a rigid economic structure that discourages them from beginning their careers at small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

• 💡 Actionable Recommendations: The research outlines strategic shifts, such as cultivating creativity in school curriculums to diversify career expectations, enforcing a sliding price system to prevent unfair business practices against SMEs, and implementing French-style apprenticeship programs to enhance flexibility between universities and the workplace.

  
  

This research paper serves as a vital resource for policymakers, educators, and community leaders striving to create a more inclusive and dynamic labor market.

📖 Read the Full Research Paper Below